Latest statistics show that there were 1.45 million jobs in Wales in 2018, the highest since records began.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The stats also showed that job numbers increased more quickly in Wales than the UK as whole between 2017 and 2018.
Between 2017 and 2018, total workplace employment in Wales was up by 28,000 which represented an increase of 2%. The UK as whole, for the same period, saw a 0.7% increase.
The number of jobs in Wales increased by 15.9% between 2001 and 2018, similar to the increase across the UK.
Economy Minister Ken Skates said:
The Welsh Government has worked hard over a number of years to create growth and provide more employment opportunities across Wales.
The figures for 2018 are positive with the number of jobs at its highest ever. It’s also good news that the industry with the largest percentage change in total jobs between 2017 and 2018 in Wales was construction which was up 11.9%.
Growth in jobs in Wales was also stronger than for the UK between 2001 and 2018 in agriculture, forestry and fishing and finance and business activities.
Our Economic Action Plan is absolutely key to the future Welsh economic outlook and is clear on the need for us to support all parts of our economy to drive up skills and encourage innovation.
There is little doubt we are living in difficult and uncertain economic times, due to the UK Government’s shambolic handling of Brexit, but this Welsh Government will continue to do all we can to build the prosperous Welsh economy that we all want to see.